Amit Shah Uses Saradha to Launch Scathing Attack on Mamata Banerjee

Kolkata: A day after the Saradha scam hit the headlines again, BJP president Amit Shah launched an attack on West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, alleging that her associates were neck deep in the scam.

"Why didn't Didi go on hunger strike like she did for Singur and Nandigram against the duping of 17 lakh investors in the Saradha scam? Because her own people were involved," Mr Shah said at a rally in Kolkata during his first visit to the state after taking over the party's reins.

The BJP chief's comments can touch a nerve in the state. The Saradha Ponzi scam had left the lower middle and the deprived classes practically bankrupt - and Bengal's wounds are still raw.

The scam had hit the headlines afresh yesterday, after suspended Trinamool Congress MP Kunal Ghosh had alleged that the chief minister had benefitted from Saradha Media. Mr Ghosh, an accused in the case, is being interrogated by the Central Bureau of Investigation. Yesterday, at a local court, he said the agency should grill the chief minister along with him. (Read: If Anyone Has Benefitted From Saradha Media, it is Mamata Banerjee, says Accused Trinamool MP)


Mr Shah then delivered blow to the gut: "No good can come of the politics of tushtikaran (placating). If you can't manage, please step down. BJP will provide good governance to Bengal."

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The BJP had been wooing the Trinamool Congress ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. But it had been cold shouldered by the Chief Minister, who had an eye on the Muslim votebank. The knives have come out since. Now, with the state is heading for municipal elections, the BJP is out to make its presence felt.

Thanking people for the 17% vote in the Lok Sabha polls, Mr Shah said, "Your opportunity to change things is the by-election. Give us victory in municipal polls. And we will do it in 2016."

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Mr Shah's barbs appear to have hit home. Tomorrow, Trinamool MP Abhishek Banerjee is to address a rally at the same spot to counter Mr Shah's charges.